Jason High shoves referee after TKO stoppage loss to Rafael dos Anjos
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Referee Kevin Mulhall stopped the fight. So, Jason High tried to pick one with him.
Mulhall ruled Rafael dos Anjos had beaten High by TKO at 3:36 of the third round Saturday at UFC Fight Night at Tingle Coliseum and High took umbrage with the call. Mulhall came to check on him and High used both of his hands to push him away. That could very well lead to a fine and suspension by the New Mexico State Athletic Commission.
Dos Anjos dropped High with a straight left hand and followed with some punches on the ground. High was hanging onto dos Anjos' leg while dos Anjos landed hammer fists and punches. Dos Anjos looked up at Mulhall, essentially asking for the TKO. And Mulhall granted it.
High seemed to have his druthers and he pushed Mulhall away with both hands when Mulhall came in to either explain his decision or check on High. Seconds later, High seemed to spit in Mulhall's direction in the Octagon. He was visibly irate.
Either way, dos Anjos (21-7) was able to finish a close fight late. He said he came to Albuquerque two weeks early to adjust to the altitude. Dos Anjos, 29, came in ranked No. 6 in the UFC's official lightweight contender rankings and will likely hold that position after beating High.
As for High (18-5), in addition to some likely discipline for pushing Mulhall, his two-fight win streak was snapped. At 32, he remains in the prime of his career and clearly able to hang with the elite of the 155-pound division. High gave dos Anjos trouble on the ground and actually still had a chance to win before the controversial stoppage.
